Celtic might discover their subsequent O’Riley in swoop for star likened to de Bruyne

Celtic nonetheless have loads to play for between now and the top of the 2023/24 marketing campaign as Brendan Rodgers bids to keep away from a trophyless return to Parkhead.

The Hoops are one level forward of their closest rivals within the Scottish Premiership, having performed a recreation greater than them, and are nonetheless within the SFA Cup, having been knocked out of the League Cup and European competitions throughout the first half of the season.

Which means they may nonetheless carry two items of silverware earlier than the top of the time period however they might want to struggle laborious to make sure that they don’t find yourself empty-handed.

Consideration, regardless of how this season goes, will then flip to how the Scottish giants can enhance their taking part in squad throughout the upcoming summer season switch window.

Rodgers reportedly already has his eye on potential targets to bolster his facet forward of the 2024/25 marketing campaign, and there may be one goal who might be seen as the subsequent Matt O’Riley at Parkhead.

Celtic’s curiosity in thrilling playmaker

The Every day Document lately relayed claims from Russia that Celtic are protecting tabs on thrilling Krasnodar attacking midfielder Eduard Spertsyan forward of the summer season.

It was claimed that the Hoops are monitoring his state of affairs however there is no such thing as a point out of any present curiosity from different golf equipment in Europe right now.

The Armenia worldwide was quoted as saying {that a} transfer to Europe is one thing he wish to do, and recognised that it could take laborious work and “struggle” in an effort to obtain that aim.

Soccer Scotland reporter Mark Hendry has reported that Krasnodar have not had any contact with the Scottish champions because it stands, however have spoken with an unnamed Belgian facet.

This implies that there might be competitors from different golf equipment to safe his signature in the summertime, ought to the Hoops determine to behave upon their curiosity in him.

Final summer season, it was reported that Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle had been among the many groups trying on the gifted midfielder, who was valued at €13m (£11m) on the time.

Virtually one 12 months later and it now stays to be seen how a lot Krasnodar would need for the 23-year-old wizard, who has simply over two years left to run on his contract.

Celtic might land their subsequent model of present star O’Riley by swooping to signal Spertsyan from the Russian outfit on the finish of the season, as a result of his high quality within the closing third.

Matt O’Riley’s Celtic season in numbers

The Denmark worldwide has been in terrific kind for the Hoops as an attack-minded midfielder as a part of Rodgers’ three-man midfield, usually alongside Callum McGregor and Tomoki Iwata of late.

Signed from MK Dons in January 2022, the left-footed wizard has the standard to each rating and create objectives at a powerful price within the Premiership.

As you possibly can see within the desk, the 23-year-old magician has been one of many workforce’s excellent performers on the high finish of the pitch together with his devastating skill in entrance of aim.

Solely Luis Palma (2.7) has made extra key passes per recreation than O’Riley, and no different Celtic participant has scored extra objectives, taken extra pictures, or registered extra assists than the Danish dynamo.

Together with his phenomenal kind for the membership, nonetheless, comes curiosity from elsewhere. Leeds are reportedly contemplating a bid for the midfield whiz, ought to they win promotion from the Championship, while Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion are additionally eyeing up the Hoops famous person.

Which means Celtic might find yourself shedding the previous Fulham prospect within the upcoming summer season switch window, if a type of aforementioned golf equipment are available with a suitable supply for his providers, which would depart an enormous void in the midst of the park for Rodgers.

The Bhoys might, although, land their subsequent model of O’Riley by swooping in to signal Spertsyan, who was supposedly of curiosity to Newcastle and Manchester Metropolis final 12 months, as a potential alternative for the Leeds goal.

Why Eduard Spertsyan might be the subsequent Matt O’Riley

Firstly, Ajax director Sven Mislintat hailed the Armenian ace as “particular” final 12 months and claimed that he might have been much like Kevin de Bruyne with the Dutch membership.

The Ajax chief claimed that Spertsyan taking part in in Russia on the time prevented the transfer from occurring, however that he might have been De Bruyne-esque for the Eredivisie facet. Celtic’s present curiosity in his providers means that the identical concern is not going to be an issue this summer season.

You possibly can perceive why he was likened to the Belgian famous person while you think about his improbable statistics from a central midfield place for Krasnodar.

The 23-year-old playmaker has racked up an attention-grabbing 18 objectives and 13 assists in 48 appearances within the Premier Liga for his membership for the reason that begin of final season.

As you possibly can see within the desk above, Spertsyan is a central midfielder who can rating and create objectives at an distinctive price, similar to O’Riley and De Bruyne – who produced seven objectives and 16 assists within the Premier League final time period – do of their respective divisions.

The Armenia worldwide chipped in with 21 direct aim contributions, and a pair of.2 key passes per recreation, final time period, compared to O’Riley’s aforementioned 23 direct aim contributions, and a pair of.2 key passes per outing, in 30 league matches this season.

This reveals that the 5 foot 10 star, who has 30 objectives and 23 assists in 99 video games for Krasnodar, has the potential to make an analogous influence within the closing third from a midfield place.

They’re each thrilling attack-minded midfielders who wish to break ahead to hitch in with the assault, and have the composure and high quality to determine video games with objectives and assists regularly.

Subsequently, Rodgers might land his subsequent model of O’Riley by securing a deal for the Armenian magician, who has been likened to De Bruyne.